Pennsylvania Governor, AG Sue US Postal Service Over Mail-In Voting Rule

Pennsylvania's Governor and a coalition of 23 state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), challenging a new regulation they argue undermines states' constitutional authority over elections and restricts mail-in voting. The legal action targets a rule issued by the USPS that mandates states compile specific voter lists for mail-in ballots and establishes new design requirements for ballot envelopes.

The plaintiffs contend that the USPS rule is an "abuse of illegal power" and could prevent ballots from being delivered if they do not meet the new standards or if voters are not on the generated lists. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading the lawsuit, stated, "This rule on mail-in voting is an illegal abuse of power that shows how far President Trump is willing to go to control the elections."

This lawsuit follows a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the coalition of attorneys general to challenge the USPS regulation, even after their initial challenge to a related executive order was deemed premature. The court had previously indicated that the states could pursue action against the specific USPS rule implementing the executive order.

The coalition includes attorneys general from states such as Massachusetts, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin, among others. They assert that the USPS regulation represents a "catastrophe" for the right to vote and are determined to fight the measure in court, expressing confidence in their legal position.